11 Brave Operations The Indian Air Force Executed In Impossible Cirumstances

We all have thought of joining the military at least once in our lives. But there are some brave souls who actually are fighting for us, protecting us and making sure that we live peacefully.

It’s easy to actually sit at our homes and speak about the role that IAF plays, but we cannot imagine the hardships the IAF officers face. Their stories, battles, facts and bravery make us both happy and sad at the same time.

So, let’s have a look at 11 operations of the IAF that makes them one of the most formidable air forces in the world:

You may know about them or not. But if you don’t, you should now at least.

 

1. 1947 War with Pakistan

The first test for the Independent Royal Indian Air Force came within months of August 15 after a full blown war took place on the issue of Kashmir. The Operation was unique in the sense that this was the first time the transport aircraft of the IAF saw full-time deployment in operations. India defeated Pakistan in the very first battlefield engagement. Fighter squadrons gained exposure and experience of operating in the mountainous environment.

 

2. 1961 Liberation of Goa, Daman and Diu from the Portuguese (Operation Vijay)

In December 1961, India undertook military action to evict the Portuguese rulers out of the enclaves of Goa, Diu and Daman and eventually succeeding ending more than 450 years of Portuguese rule in India. All the three sections of the Indian armed forces participated in this Operation. The Indian Air Force bombed the runway of Dabolim Airfield (Goa International Airport) and cut off the Portuguese territory from outside control or interference.

 

3. 1965 War with Pakistan

It was the first air battle between India and Pakistan. The Indian Air Force was numerically superior with 28 combat squadrons to PAF’s 11. This particular operation saw some of the fiercest engagements on air since World War-II. In spite of Pakistan’s technological superiority, the IAF made sure they held the upper hand. In all, IAF lost 59 out of its inventory of 460 aircraft while PAF lost 43 of its 186 aircraft during the war. The last line tells us the whole story. Right?

 

4. 1971 War with Pakistan

The IAF achieved remarkable success as it achieved complete air superiority in the first 48 hours. Every Indian knows what happened at the end of this war. In addition to that, the IAF helped the Indian Army and Navy by providing massive air support. A total of 94 Pakistani aircraft were shot down. The war in 1971 revealed the true air-air combat capabilities of the MiG-21. India emerged victorious both in terms of objectives attained and losses/gains versus the enemy.

 

5. 1984 Operation Meghdoot

Operation Meghdoot was the code-name for the Indian Armed Forces operation to capture the world’s highest battlefield Siachen Glacier. Indian troops managed to gain two-third of the glacier with the rest remaining under Pakistani control.

 

6. 1999 Kargil War (Operation Safed Sagar)

This was the first time in the history of military aviation that air power was used at a height of up to 32,000 feet by the IAF. IAF’s Mirage 2000 aircraft which carried out surgical operations to assist ground troops in securing the strategically crucial Tiger Hill from its Pakistani captors. Operation Safed Sagar started on May 26, 1999, and on July 11, 1999, all the military objectives were achieved. Undoubtedly, this conflict was a milestone event in Indian military history.

In any rescue or relief operation, the IAF has played a major part in transporting materials to the affected areas within no time. Be it the 1998 Gujarat cyclone or the 2004 Tsunamis, the Indian Armed Forces provided relief to those in need.

 

7. 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami

The IAF reached the eastern coast of India within an hour of the destructive tsunami hitting the western coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. They helped in relief operations as well as in search and rescue.

 

8. 2005 Kashmir Earthquake

An earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale struck near Muzzafarabad in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir on October 8, 2005. IAF sent tonnes of relief materials immediately including army medicines, blankets, and food packets.

 

9. 2008 Cyclone Nargis

The Indian Air Force transported more than 100 tonnes of material and aided in rescue after the destructive cyclonic storm, Nargis, struck Myanmar.

 

10. 2013 Uttarakhand Floods (Operation Rahat)

Operation Rahat was the biggest civilian rescue operation in the world. IAF played a crucial role in providing food and medicines to the innumerous amount of people. ‘Operation Rahat’ saw close to 20,000 people being airlifted. In the absence of IAF, it would have been very difficult to provide the people with all the necessities required to live.

 

11. 2015 Nepal Earthquake (Operation Maitri)

Operation Maitri was the relief operation in Nepal by the IAF in the aftermath of the 2015 Nepal earthquake.

Let’s spare a moment for the great uniformed personnel who sacrificed their today for a better tomorrow. Jai Hind!

Fact Source